Overview

All the Hidden Truths opens on the aftermath of a college shooting in Edinburgh. Twelve women are killed and the killer takes his own life. The police, victims’ families and community reel as DI Helen Birch, Ishbel the mother of a victim, and Moira the killer’s mother each seek answers that refuse to come cleanly into view.

Writing & Voice

We found Askew’s voice clear, controlled and compassionate. She balances procedural clarity with emotional depth. The narrative shifts between perspectives with assurance, giving each woman space to express her pain, confusion and determination without losing narrative forward motion.

Content & Perspective

The story alternates between DI Birch’s methodical investigation, Ishbel’s grief and Moira’s desperate need to understand her son’s act. Each viewpoint deepens our understanding of loss, responsibility and the challenge of piecing together an event that resists explanation.

Themes

All the Hidden Truths explores grief, accountability, blame and the elusiveness of certainty. It looks at how communities cope after public tragedy and how personal narratives intersect with official accounts. The book wrestles with the question of why, even when there are facts, truth can seem hidden.

What Worked

• Multiple, compelling viewpoints that deepen empathy.
• Strong sense of Edinburgh as a setting integral to the story.
• A thoughtful, humane take on trauma and investigation.

Minor Quibbles

• The subject matter is intense and demanding.
• Some narrative shifts feel uneven in pacing.

Final Thoughts

Compassionate, measured, and deeply unsettling, All the Hidden Truths impressed us with its multiple voices, focusing less on crime itself than on grief, blame, and unanswered questions.

Rating: ★★★★½ / 5